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Moving from Wisconsin to Montana

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

WI state flag
Living now

Wisconsin

Capital: Madison

Median household income $72,458 · winter low 9°F · 188 sunny days

Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

MT state flag
Moving to

Montana

Capital: Helena

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 14°F · 205 sunny days

Big sky, no sales tax, rapidly gentrifying small towns.

Montana has an overall price level 94.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Wisconsin
94.1
Montana
94.6
Montana has 0.6% higher overall price level
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
Montana
84.6
Montana has 6.7% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
Montana
98.7
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
Montana
99.2
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
Montana
13.5 ¢/kWh
Montana has 28% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
Montana
98.9
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
Montana
$425,400
Montana is 44% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
Montana
$933/mo
Montana is 5.0% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

Summer high 83°F · Winter low 14°F · 205 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Wisconsin
81°F
Montana
83°F
Montana is 2.5% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
Montana
14°F
Montana is 56% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
Montana
44°F
Montana is 1.4% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
Montana
205
Montana has 9.0% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
Montana
15 in
Montana is 54% less annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Wisconsin
40
Montana
42
Montana has 5.0% higher AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
Montana
51 in
Montana is 2.0% more annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinMontana report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Montana than Wisconsin?

Montana's overall price level is roughly 95 (US avg = 100), vs about 93.5 for Wisconsin — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Wisconsin tops out at 7.65% income tax. Montana tops out at 5.65%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Montana?

Most Montana residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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